Band-wheel counterbalance



R. R. BLOSS BAND WHEEL COUNTERBALANCE Filed June 1926 [lip/Mara 5/05 INVENTOR,

BY w 4 ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 6, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD n. BLOSS, or COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE INTERNATIONAL DERRICK & EQUIPMENT COMPANY, or COLUMBUS, OHIO, A CORPORATION or 01110.

BAND-WHEEL COUNTERBALANCE.

Application filed June 7,

My invention relates to a band wheel counterbalance and has to do primarily with the provision of a novel form of counterbalance that is placed upon the band wheel rather than upon the walking beam and that is provided with certain features of adjustability designed to meet the normal variations in the weight of the suspended pumping mechanism and the oil or other fluid above the plunger. It is also calculated to obviate the jerky movement of the parts of the pumping mechanism and to produce a smooth and uniform operation throughout all cycles of such pumping operations.

An important aspect of my invention resides in the fact that I provide a plurality of weight members which are adjustable about the rim of the band wheel. These weight members are adjustable so that they may be attached to the rim of the band wheel opposite the crank to obtain a maximum counterbalancing effect or so that they may be attached in various relatively spaced positions to produce different, lesser counterbalancing ellects. Also, by varying the mass of the weight members with regard to their relative positions on the band wheel, not only may any desired counterbalancing efiect be obtained but, also, any desired fly-Wheel effect either independently of or in combination with the desired counterbalancing.

For example, the use of a plurality of weights independently adjustable about the band wheel makes it possible to move these weights until they are one hundred and eighty degrees apart so that they neutralize each other with regard to their counterbalancing effect but lose none of their fly wheel effect. On the other hand, they may be maintained less than one hundred and eighty degrees apart, in which case the amount of counterbalancing effect will vary according to their angularity as well as with the mass of the individual weightmembers. Another feature of my invention has to do with the provision of counterbalance weights which are provided with rollers bearin upon the rim to facilitate the changing of positions of the weights and to eliminate the necessity of bracing the weights from the shaft.

Various other features of advantage of my 1926. Serial No. 114,143.

invention will appear during the course of the following description wherein similar characters of reference designate corresponding parts and wherein Figure l is an end view of a steel band wheel with my invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the effect of the relative adjustment of my weights.

In the drawings, my invention is shown applied to a steel band wheel. The counterbalance weights in the form shown are attached to the inside of the rim of the band wheel. This band Wheel is so constructed that at least one of the weights can be moved approximately one hundred and eighty degrees around the rim of the band wheel.

The weights used in my invention are designated 14 and 15 and those surfaces thereof which contact with the rim interior may be respectively provided with roller bearings 16 and 17. In this structure, the spokes and rim of the band wheel are provided with bolt holes 18 and 18*, respectively, so that the counterbalance elements may be connected to any spoke or at any intermediate position on the rim.

This form of my invention has certain distinct advantages in that the individual counterbalance elements are supported upon the band wheel without attachment to the band wheel shaft, thus eliminating undesirable wear upon this shaft as well as reducing the number of structural elements necessary to attain the desired results. When it is desired to shift the position of the weights on the rim, they are merely detached from the spokes when in lowermost position. The wheel is then rotated, the weights remaining at these lowermost positions due to gravity until the desired position on the rim coincides with the weights. If it is only desired to adjust one weight, this weight is disconnected and the rim rotated until the proper position of attachment arrives opposite-the weight, whereupon t-he'attaching bolts are applied.

In my invention as shown, I preferabl utilize supplemental weight elements whic may be designated 20. These supplemental Wei ht elements are referabl made readily ap icable and detac able. l hus, the counter alancing desired under any given con dition of operation can be obtained both by predetermining the relation of the main counterbalancing elements and by the addition or SHbtIlICi'IIOIIOf supplemental weight elements to either or both of the main counterbalance elements.

In Figure 3, the principles of operation of my multiple counterbalance are diagrammatically illustrated. Thus, if the weights W are in position a, no counterbalance effect is obtained, as each weight neutralizes the other. However, any given fly-wheel effeet is produced. When the weights are moved into position b, they have a moment of 2WL tending to counterbalance the opposed elements. When these weights are moved to position a, this moment becomes 2WL,. Now, as 2W remains constant, and L increases from zero to L it will be seen that the counterbalancing effect is greatest in the position a, and may be varied from zero to WL by moving the weights along the rim to different positions. Of course, as pointed out, this counterbalance may be further varied by adding or deducting supplemental weights to either or both of the main counterbalance elements.

It will, furthermore, be apparent that the mass of the band wheel and counterbalance weights remain constant throughout the entire range of ositions from a to c and, hence, the fly-whee effect also remains constant.

It is, therefore, apparent that the counterbalancing action of my invention can be varied independently of the fly-wheel action and vice versa.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A band wheel counterbalance comprising a weight element connected to said band wheel and adjustable around the axis thereof and roller bearings between said weight element and said band wheel.

2. A band wheel counterbalance comprising in combination with a band wheel rim a. plurality of weight elements connected to said band wheel and relatively adjustable around said rim, and roller bearings for minimizing friction between each of said weight elements and said rim.

In testimony whereof I hereby afiix my signature.

RICHARD R. BLOSS. 

